Luxury Destination: Sri Lanka Is Good Value and Exotic

Sri Lanka frequently hits the headlines for all the wrong reasons but the country is a delight for the adventurous tourist. Colombia still features wide sandy beaches and a harbor which is a beautiful backdrop to wooden outrigger canoes and sailing dhows which are still used by the local fishermen. The city’s architecture reflects its rich colonial history of Portuguese, British and Dutch invaders.

Mt Lavinia

Colombia’s romantic Mount Lavinia House Hotel is named after the local woman who stole the heart of an early British Governor. The story didn’t end happily but her name lives on in the gracious old hotel which has played host to the likes of Vivien Leigh and Somerset Maughan. A bit like Sri Lanka’s somewhat checkered past and present.

Not far from the capital is the World Heritage listed fort of Galle, which dates from the Portuguese days of the 16th century. The town still has a blend of European architecture and walls which seems a little displaced here on a tropical island. The Dutch and English style colonial houses have been converted to shops and romantic hotels. The Galle Fort Hotel is now an Australian owned boutique hotel housed in a 17th century villa. The hotel only has a 11 suites which all feature billowing white mosquito nets set off against the dark teak of the floors and furniture.

Jetwing Lighthouse

In contrast the JetWing Lighthouse is a modern building built to maximize the stunning view from this headland near Galle. In the local style this building features swimming pools, conference facilities, spa and sports – but the view is the real story here and its definitely worth traveling for.

Forty-two kilometers from Colombo your find Kalutara, once an important spice-trading center, but now the home of a delicious local industry – mangosteens. The town also marks the start of a long stretch of some of Sri Lanka’s best beaches. Palm-fringed Bentota has hotels, shopping and local dance performances in an open-air theater. You can snorkel here and there is spectacular wreck diving and surfing for the more adventurous.

Give Sri Lanka a second look, yes some part of the country are no-go area, but the majority of the country combines affordable luxury with specatuclar scenary, pleasent towns and delightful people.